Page 68 of Autumn at the Cat Cafe

“Did?” She frowned again. “Has he sold the business?”

“No. He... passed away.”

“Oh no.” The woman’s hand went to her mouth. Her fingers started to tremble. “When?”

“January.” She couldn’t help but move closer to her. “Are you okay?”

“Yes...” She shook her head. “I’m too late.”

“Do you want to sit down?” Via guided her to one of the tables. Squeaks immediately started circling the woman’s ankles and Via shooed her away. One thing the cat didn’t do was try to escape, so Via let her up front with Sir and Luna since she was better behaved today. But she wasn’t taking any chances on her scratching this woman’s boots or leaving cat hair on her pants.

“No.”

Via’s heart went out to her. “I’m sorry you had to hear it this way.”

“Did you know him well?” the woman asked, more composed now.

“Yes. We were close.”

“How... how did he pass?”

“Heart attack.” Her voice broke a little. “Unexpected.”

“He was so young.”

Seventy-three wasn’t exactly young, not to Via anyway, but she understood what the woman meant. “Do you mind if I ask... I don’t mean to pry...”

“You want to know how I know Earl.” She straightened. “He’s my brother.”

Via froze. “You’re Constance?”

Her eyes brightened a bit. “He mentioned me?”

Wincing, Via shook her head. “No.”

A loud noise sounded outside of the café, like a car engine. Via ignored it. That was why she thought this woman was familiar—she was Earl’s sister. Although she didn’t really see much of Earl in Constance’s facial features. Definitely not in her style.

Then it hit her. Leo’s mom. She had his eyes, or rather he had hers. Round and vibrant green, although Constance had tiny crow’s-feet at the corners of hers and hers weren’t quite as intense in color. Otherwise her complexion was perfection, as was her light makeup.

“I’m not surprised he didn’t say anything about me,” Constance said. “We weren’t close. It’s—”

“Complicated?”

The café door opened. Without looking up, Via said, “We’re closed.”

“Via, I—”

Both women turned at the sound of Leo’s voice.

Chapter 17

Leo stood statue still, staring at Constance, his mouth pressed into a thin line. Via had never seen him so ice cold.

Constance rose. “Leo?”

“What are you doing here?” His tone was empty.

“I came to see Earl,” she said.